Star light, star bright, third star I see tonight . . .

We previously discussed the Senate's proposal to give the Judge Advocates General a third star while raising the legal counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to general/flag grade.

On 10 July, OMB issued a Statement of Administration Policy opposing the third star for the Judge Advocates General while proposing giving the Chairman's legal counsel two stars instead of one. Here is what OMB wrote:

Grades of Judge Advocates General: The Administration opposes section 573, which would by statute elevate the Judge Advocates General to 3-star grade. This provision would undermine the flexibility of the President to determine what positions of importance and responsibility merit grades above major general or rear admiral (upper half). The Judge Advocates General, as 2-star officers, already participate fully in the legal affairs of their respective Military Departments and the entire Department of Defense.

Grade of the Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: While the Administration appreciates the Senate Armed Service’s elevation of the rank of Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Colonel/Navy Captain to 1-star grade in section 573(e), which would add a new section 156 to title 10, U.S. Code, we urge Congress to further elevate the position to that of 2-star grade.